Gary Vacin

A former U.S. Air Force officer who flew the A7D Corsair II and later transitioned to the Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II will be guest speaker at the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering Monday, March 18, at the Sun Lakes Country Club Navajo Room. Festivities start at 6:30 p.m. with coffee and camaraderie, followed by the presentation at 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Phil Brewer, better known as the “Fighter Pilot in the Kitchen,” flew the two fighter aircraft during his military career. His nickname comes from the fact that he has written a number of cookbooks and other books about cooking. The A7D is a carrier-capable subsonic light attack aircraft manufactured to replace the A-4 Skyhawk. Flying the aircraft was a huge deal, Brewer said. But it was not without its issues, which included face ejection handle, oil issues, drilled vanes, loss of control and eventually being grounded. The A-10 was designed for close air support of friendly ground troops, attacking armored vehicles and tanks, and providing quick-action support against enemy ground forces. It was intended to improve on the performance of then-classified A-1 Skyraider and its lesser firepower. It was designed around a 30 mm rotary cannon.

The A-10 is currently in active service, based at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson. The Sun Lakes Aero Club has made several field trips to the Goldwater Gunnery Range south of Gila Bend to see the A-10 showing off its firepower. The Gunnery Range field trip was one of many the Aero Club has sponsored during recent years. The club also hosts fly-in breakfasts to nearby airports-restaurants. Additional information on the club is available from Cannon Hill at 509-539-7857, Gary Vacin at 480-298-7017 or by visiting the club’s website, www.sunlakesaeroclub.com.